Read the ingredients on the foods your purchase. Research the health effects of food ingredients. Don’t let big business control your diet!
Every day we unknowingly consume dangerous additives and poisonous chemicals in our drinking water and food, many of which have been allowed into the market by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA exists to protect the consumer; however, in an ever-increasing corporate world it seems that the FDA is protecting corporations over people. And as long as corporations are the priority, then profits will be the main concern and not health and environmental issues. Our food supply is being influenced by a revolving door between big business and the FDA. For example, Michael R.Taylor, former Vice President for Public Policy and lawyer for Monsanto is now the Deputy Commissioner for Foods for the FDA. Monsanto, one of the most controversial corporations in the world, is an international agriculture and biotechnology corporation responsible for the manufacturing of PCBs, genetically modifying seeds, and the bovine growth hormone.
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Genetically Modified Foods May Kill You
Genetically modified foods are genetically modified organisms that have had specific changes introduced into their DNA. The first genetically modified food was released into the market in 1994.
For example, Monsanto corn has been genetically modified to produce its own insecticides and herbicides. The varieties include Mon 863, insecticide-producing Mon 810, and Roundup herbicide-absorbing NK 603. The bugs are not the only ones being destroyed by this genetic change; we are eating these insecticides and herbicides as well.
Numerous studies world wide have concluded the dangers of genetically modified foods on health and environment yet these studies are not brought to our attention, labelling in non-existent, and the reasoning behind GM foods flawed.
There are many genetically modified foods being sold in the market today; however, as consumers we may not know that they are genetically modified. Most packaging does not include this vital information. (The United States and Canada do not require labelling of genetically modified foods.) Vital because there has been testing confirming that even genetically modified fruits and vegetables can lead to life threatening diseases.
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) states that “GM foods pose a serious health risk” and they are calling for a moratorium on GM foods. Citing several animal studies, the AAEM concludes “there is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects” and that “GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health.”
“Multiple animal studies have shown that GM foods cause damage to various organ systems in the body. With this mounting evidence, it is imperative to have a moratorium on GM foods for the safety of our patients’ and the public’s health,” said Dr. Amy Dean, PR chair and Board Member of AAEM.
“Physicians are probably seeing the effects in their patients, but need to know how to ask the right questions,” said Dr. Jennifer Armstrong, President of AAEM. “The most common foods in North America which are consumed that are GMO are corn, soy, canola, and cottonseed oil.”
Aspartame May Kill You
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used as a sugar substitute. It was discovered by accident in 1965 by a chemist working for G.D Searle and Company who was looking to produce an anti-ulcer drug. Aspartame is made from three components which include phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol. The body breaks methanol down into formaldehyde and formic acid. Formaldehyde causes cancer and genetic changes to cells.
Aspartame was approved by the FDA in 1974. Conflicts of interest may have marred the FDA’s approval of aspartame as controversy over its safety included allegations that G.D. Searle withheld safety data.
The next time you are in a coffee shop and see those cute little packages of artificial sweetener on the counter, sometimes in yellow or pink packaging, pick one up and read the label. There is a warning printed on the packaging stated that you should only consume the product on the advice of a doctor. Unfortunately, this may be the only place you see the warning.
Aspartame is used as a food ingredient in many foods without any warning at all. These include any diet product and may also include chewable vitamins, candy, chewing gum, and soft drinks.
Monosodium Glutamate May Kill You
Have you ever been to a Chinese restaurant and seen a sign that says “no MSG added” and wondered “what is MSG and why is it not in this food?”
Monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG, is a sodium salt that is used as a food additive to enhance flavour. Check your ingredients carefully, as MSG may also listed under a wide variety of names as part of other additives, including hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extract, soy extracts, protein isolate, disodium inosinate, and disodium guanylate.
Dr. Adrienne Samuels, author of The Toxicity/Safety of Processed Free Glutamic Acid (MSG): A Study of Suppression of Information, has testified before the FDA regarding the dangers of MSG. According to Dr. Samuels, the evidence of toxicity is overwhelming. Testing concluded that laboratory animals suffered brain lesions and neuroendocrine disorders. Scientists also have noted that mice treated with glutamic acid became grotesquely obese.
Although many Chinese restaurants have removed MSG from the menu, MSG is now used by most fast-food chains and in processed foods.
Some examples where you can find foods that contain MSG include; condiments, canned, frozen, dried food, snack foods and seasoning mixtures.
In 1995 the FDA concluded that MSG is safe for most people when “eaten at customary levels.”
Sodium Fluoride May Kill You
Sodium fluoride is used to fluoridate water and is a common ingredient in toothpaste. It is also the main ingredient in Prozac. Water fluoridation began in 1945 when researches discovered that fluoridation prevents tooth decay. However, the Germans and Russians also added sodium fluoride to the water of prisoners of war because they had discovered it made the prisoners “stupid and docile.” (According to documentation of Ian E. Stephen in 1987)
Sodium fluoride comes from aluminum ore, and is a byproduct of the modern aluminum industry, unlike calcium fluoride and fluorine which are mineral salts found in some natural waters, in tea, and other foods. Sodium fluoride interferes with neurotransmitters in the brain. Many doctors and scientist state that sodium fluoride may be one of the main causes of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Dr. Blaylock, a board-certified neurosurgeon agrees with these findings.
Fluoride was also used as an insecticide. R. L. Metcalf explains, “Fluorine has played a significant role in insect control since about 1896 when sodium fluoride and various iron fluorides were patented in England as insecticides. Sodium fluoride was used in the United States for cockroach control before 1900 and was introduced in 1915 for the control of poultry lice. However, the use of fluorine insecticides did not become general until the 1930s when the disadvantages of arsenical residues on food crops became apparent and the inorganic fluorine compounds were introduced as safer substitutes.” From the “Introduction” to Chapter 7, “Fluorine-containing insecticides”, by R. L. Metcalf (Handb. exp. Pharmacol. XX.1, pp. 355-386, Springer, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, 1966)
Sodium fluoride is classified as toxic.
Be Responsible for Your Health
We all need to be responsible for our own health. Responsibility includes researching the ingredients we are consuming even if we are told they are safe.
History has shown that scientist and government agencies have approved an array of chemicals and drugs that were said to be safe. There was a time when cigarettes were sold as 100% safe and non-addictive. Today the American Cancer Society states that approximately 2.1 million people have died from smoking. In the 1950s, dentists recommended smoking. Today, it is recommended by dentists that Fluoride is good for your teeth, whether this information is true or not, do the research yourself.
